New Year's Eve without injuries: How to protect yourself and Potsdam!

New Year's Eve without injuries: How to protect yourself and Potsdam!

New Year's Eve is celebrated and fireworks are part of it every year. But like every year, it not only brings joy, but also risks that should not be underestimated. In Germany alone, five people became victims of fatal accidents related to pyrotechnics during the 2025 New Year celebrations. Practical experience shows that New Year's Eve in many cities is also marked by acts of violence against emergency services and numerous injuries. For example, the police in Berlin recorded at least 390 arrests that night and numerous injured officers, including a firefighter. The Brandenburg police also had to make headlines because a 21-year-old died in a firecracker accident.

As the state capital Potsdam warns in its advance information, there are certain safety precautions that must be observed. Fire and rescue services are in great demand on New Year's Eve, and hospital emergency rooms are regularly full of patients who need to be treated due to fireworks accidents. The most common injuries include blast trauma, burns, and hand and head injuries, which often occur as a result of misdirected rockets or exploding firecrackers.

Prevention and safety instructions

The city calls on all citizens to be particularly careful. Fireworks are prohibited near churches, hospitals and nursing homes, and violations can result in heavy fines of up to 50,000 euros. Recommended safety measures include closing windows during the blast and having closed goggles on hand in case unforeseen events occur.

As in Austria, where 200 to 400 people have to be treated in hospital every year after fireworks accidents, the dangers in this country cannot be neglected either. Experts are critical of illegal fireworks that do not meet testing standards and point out that, among other things, the most common injuries to the upper body occur when handled improperly. In Germany last year there were not only serious injuries, but also numerous property damages that were caused by the improper use of pyrotechnics, such as a burned-out single-family home in Leuterod, which caused damage worth around 350,000 euros.

The Potsdam administration is doing everything else to increase security on New Year's Eve. Ten fireproof containers will be set up in the city to dispose of leftover fireworks, which will be picked up again on New Year's Day and January 2, 2026. The leftovers from the celebrations should be disposed of safely at these locations: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße/Rudolf-Breitscheid-Straße, Luisenplatz, Bassinplatz, Am Kanal, Glienicker Brücke, Am Hirtengraben, Magnus-Zeller-Platz, Schlaatz town square, Alter Markt and Unity Square.

A look beyond the borders

In Austria, however, New Year's Eve fireworks remain a tradition that is associated with many accidents. The statistics there show that 78% of accidents affect the hands; young people and children are often among those involved in accidents. Experts strongly advise against using illegal items because people often use homemade firecrackers, which significantly increases the risk of serious injury.

In addition to happy celebrations, New Year's Eve also harbors considerable dangers. It is up to all of us to help ensure that the New Year can be welcomed safely and unscathed through careful behavior. Consult the Potsdam Information for further details on the security guidelines. Don't hesitate to find out more about the Welt and Nachrichten.at because safety comes first!